Trump said negotiations with Tehran could continue despite expressing little optimism
US President Donald Trump has declared that the ceasefire with Iran is “over” following fresh American military strikes on Iranian targets, while indicating that diplomatic negotiations could still continue despite his scepticism over their outcome.
Trump made the remarks during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the two-day NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, hours after the United States launched retaliatory strikes on Iran.
‘For me, it’s over’
Responding to a journalist’s question on whether the ceasefire with Iran was effectively over, Trump said he believed the truce had come to an end.
“For me, I think it’s over,” Trump said. “It’s just a waste of time dealing with them.”
While he said US representatives could continue negotiations with Tehran, he expressed little confidence that diplomacy would yield any meaningful breakthrough.
“They can talk, but I think they’re wasting their time,” he added.
BREAKING: Trump says Iran ceasefire is over for him.
He adds that he doesn’t want to deal with the Iranians anymore. pic.twitter.com/mXyzbDJuJa
— Clash Report (@clashreport) July 8, 2026
Trump defends fresh US strikes
Defending the latest military action, Trump accused Iran of escalating tensions despite being given an opportunity to avoid further conflict.
“We attacked, very powerfully last night, the very dangerous people from Iran,” Trump told reporters.
“There’s something wrong with them. We say, ‘Go and do your funeral stuff,’ and instead of that, they start shooting rockets at ships yesterday. So we hit them very hard last night.”
The United States said the strikes were launched in retaliation for attacks on commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran responds with strikes
The US operation came hours after Washington revoked a licence permitting the sale of Iranian oil, citing Tehran’s alleged involvement in attacks on commercial shipping.
Iran responded by launching strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait, further escalating tensions and raising concerns that the fragile ceasefire could collapse entirely.
.@POTUS: “We attacked, very powerfully last night, the very dangerous people from Iran… There’s something wrong with them. We say, ‘Go and do your funeral stuff,’ and instead of that, they start shooting rockets at ships yesterday. So we hit them very hard last night.” pic.twitter.com/9cw75cBXLo
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 8, 2026
Fears of wider regional conflict
The renewed exchange of strikes has heightened fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East and renewed disruptions to global energy supplies.
The attacks have also threatened efforts to restore normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, prompting a sharp rise in global oil prices.
Diplomatic uncertainty remains
The latest escalation comes during the funeral period for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a time that had been expected to lower tensions in the region.
Instead, the exchange of military action has cast fresh doubt over the future of diplomatic efforts, with negotiations technically remaining open even as hostilities continue to intensify.
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